Latest market insights and analysis.

June 1, 2023

May 2023 Returns and Asset Performance

Major Asset Classes May 2023 Performance Comparison Introduction May 2023 returns were influenced by a high degree of outlook uncertainty.  As a result, returns were lackluster or negative for many assets.  For example, a small number of megacaps helped the S&P 500 Index (+0.2%).  Across the sectors, Information Technology (+8.9%) […]
May 18, 2023

ETF Fund Flows

ETF Fund Flows – May 17, 2023 ETF fund flows define the net dollar inflows and outflows for exchange traded funds.  Fund flows are useful to identify market trends.  The data broadly reveals the rotations investors make as they shift their funds across different assets, market sectors, or indexes.  The […]
May 1, 2023

April 2023 Returns and Asset Performance

Major Asset Classes April 2023 Performance Comparison Introduction April 2023 market returns were favorable for large cap stocks, but were less rewarding for many other asset classes. For example, total returns for the S&P 500 Index (+1.5%) and international large cap stocks (+2.8%) beat the NASDAQ-100 index (-0.1%) and emerging […]
April 2, 2023

March 2023 Returns and Asset Performance

Major Asset Classes March 2023 Performance Comparison Introduction March 2023 returns capped a quarter of broad gains, but with considerable volatility along the way.  Total returns for the S&P 500 Index (3.5%) lagged behind the NASDAQ index (+9.5%), which had its best March since 2010.  Thanks to the melt-up in […]
March 1, 2023

February 2023 Returns and Asset Performance

Major Asset Classes February 2023 Performance Comparison Introduction February 2023 returns reversed the momentum seen in January with losses across equities, credit, sovereign bonds, and commodities.  The S&P 500 Index (-2.3%) lagged behind the NASDAQ index (-0.7%), but managed to outperform international developed markets (-3.35).  European equities (–2.5%) proved more […]
February 2, 2023

January 2023 Returns and Asset Performance

Major Asset Classes January 2023 Performance Comparison Introduction January 2023 returns will be remembered by investors.  The S&P 500 Index was up +6.2% ,while the NASDAQ 100 index was up +10.6%.  Meanwhile, international markets clearly outperformed the US.  16 of 22 developed markets had stock market returns higher the S&P […]
January 1, 2023

December 2022 Returns and Asset Performance

Major Asset Classes December 2022 Performance Comparison Introduction December 2022 returns were negative across all asset classes.  The S&P 500 Index ended the year down -19.4%, yielding the 6th largest drawdown since 1930.  Meanwhile, the 30-year T-Bond fared much worse, losing -31.2%.  The large-cap energy sector (+64.3%) has been the […]
December 2, 2022

November 2022 Returns and Asset Performance

Major Asset Classes November 2022 Performance Comparison Introduction November 2022 equity market returns were strong in the US and were especially strong across international equity markets.  The relief rally that began in October benefited from revised expectations and confirmation that Fed rate increases would moderate.  For example, the S&P 500 […]
November 2, 2022

October Returns and Asset Performance

Major Asset Classes October 2022 Performance Comparison Introduction October returns benefited from a relief rally and expectations the pace of Fed rate increases might be  slowing.  For example, the S&P 500 index achieved a new low for the year at 3505, but then went on to post monthly gains close […]
October 2, 2022

September Returns and Asset Performance

Major Asset Classes September 2022 Performance Comparison Introduction September returns across the major asset classes were negative.  For example, the S&P 500 index achieved a new low for the year and three consecutive quarterly losses.  Returns in developed and emerging stock markets were also negative.  Both sectors fared even worse […]